The Reservoir Dog Sportive 2021

Macy0161 · 06-09-2021 09:55AM

That's me in the top photo, I was in the hurt locker so much that I was a few metres past before I processed the "boardsie" comment - sorry!

My 3rd dog done, and still one of my favourites. Lasted with the front just to near the top of the last climb before Cunard. I probably could've dug in, but really felt to what end, knowing what was coming. Ended up solo from there to Laragh. Went with the front again from there, and just couldn't quite hold to the top of Glenmacnass, and then had to see them in the distance most of the way to the Sally Gap, just getting a bit further away the whole time. But a tailwind at least. So spent most of the route in no man's land solo- not quite strong enough for the front but ego meant I was determined to push on rather than sit up (I was hopefully looking over my shoulder quite a lot all the same!). Great to finally see the views from the Gap Road too!

Averaged 27.3km, so happy with that. I still hate Lake Drive though - those kickers are an absolute killer at that stage.

I do have one suggestion, whenever it's looked for, as Roundwood village is an absolute clusterf*ck on a Sunday morning, particularly as the Dog always hits at Mass time. Turn above Annacarter, and the back road to Laragh (Via Oldbridge/ Lough Dan) - adds another untc of a climb, which I know you guys love, but just avoids the mess. Sharp descent back to the main road is about the only downside. I live in Roundwood (the current route goes past my house!), but even solo I try to avoid the village if I can on a Sunday after 9ish.

lissard · 06-09-2021 10:43AM

First time doing this one and now I see why it gets such good press. The atmosphere at the start was great and it was clear everyone was delighted to be back. The route was really well marked and signposted and I thought the marshalls were great. My favourite bit was getting a high five from the kids at the top of the Gap road climb - it was a lovely personal touch. Also hard to beat the Russborough House as an event HQ, top marks to everyone in Reservoir Cogs I'll definitely be back. Finally it was great to meet a few boardsies, I had a great chat with Daroxtar before and after. It also seems like I was dispensing my limited West Wicklow knowledge to jethrothe2nd before the climbing began in earnest - at bit like taking advice on how to win a GT from the lanterne rouge.

Seth Brundle · 06-09-2021 11:33AM

There are a load of photos on the Reservoir Cogs facebook page. This is one of me looking kinda gormless (I note that the camera has also added at least 10lbs!)...

241178516_3040929899530121_6086123370277552945_n[1].jpg

Seth Brundle · 06-09-2021 06:58PM

Oops, thought I had put up a link to the Cogs FB page - https://www.facebook.com/ReservoirCogsCC/

Gavlor · 07-09-2021 11:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117857372#Comment_117857372

Thank god for that!!!

this.lad · 07-09-2021 09:31PM

Going up Luggala? I think I remember a photographer there

NeedMoreGears · 08-09-2021 03:52PM

After three days rest, I can now say I enjoyed that 😁

First of all - huge thanks to the cogs, volunteers and marshalls for a great, safe and well-organised event. Lovely athmosphere at the start with loads of people just happy to back at an event like this.

I dont think I ever suffered as much on the bike. That covid baby of mine weighs a tonne and I really felt the impact of the lower mileage of the past eighteen months. By the time I got to the gap the first time, I knew I was in for a tough day. I was never a fan of the spin along the lakeshore but on Sunday it was just awful - legs wouldnt respond to any kind of uphill. I was very pleased to make that final right turn towards Hollywood and home.

I've never seen so many photos after an event and unfortunately I feature in several - let's just say I have looked a lot better at the end of other events.

I'll be back again next year for more

Mercian Pro · 18-09-2021 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852401#Comment_117852401

I think Corker could confirm this but the genesis of the Reservoir Dog route is in the first part of the name! It has always linked the three main reservoirs so turning off above Annacarter would miss the Vartry Reservoir. There might be the option of turning right just after the Roundwood Inn to get on to the Oldbridge Road and miss some of the traffic.

Macy0161 · 19-09-2021 11:50PM

Turning at annacarter already means you don't go past the reservoir, so that is already gone.

There's actually better, and more frequent, views of the reservoir from the top road.

Corker1 · 21-09-2021 12:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909137#Comment_117909137

You are spot on Mercian Pro, the original concept for the Reservoir Dog route was a tour of the Reservoirs to tie in with our club name. The name 'Tour de Reservoir' was even mooted before we settled on The Reservoir Dog Sportive - Because it is Dog hard for a relatively short course.😅. The original route joined the R755 Roundwood road at the T Junction below Anacarter adjacent to the Vartry Reservoir. To improve rider safety we altered the route to join the R755 at a safer junction closer in to Roundwood where there was better visibility and slower moving traffic within the 50Kmh speed control zone with ramps to slow traffic. This change was made in response to marshal and rider feedback. We had given the Road that Macy suggested at the right turn above Annacarter cross roads close consideration for inclusion in our route a couple of years back. It is very scenic and adds a bit more 'spice' with the climb up out of Oldbridge. But the deal breaker is the T Junction of the L1059 minor road with the R755 just below St Johns Church at Laragh. The approach to the junction is a very steep, fast downhill stretch. The risk of riders overcooking their descent and shooting out onto the main road or slamming into riders waiting to make their right turn was too high. So we knocked that idea on the head. Passing through Roundwood is not ideal but we try to keep the busy roads on the route to a minimum. Besides, the run through Annamoe gives riders an opportunity to spin the legs before the food stop and tackling Glenmacnass and the remaining climbs.

Corker1 · 21-09-2021 01:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117850903#Comment_117850903

Well done all, it was great to see you all on Sept 5th, both the familiar faces and those new to the joys of 'The Dog'. I thought there was a really nice buzz and atmosphere on the day. I suppose for a lot of riders it may have been only their first or second Sportive back so everyone was up for a good time. We were lucky with the weather too. A bit misty and blowy over Sally Gap on the way out but at least it stayed dry. Glad to read that so many of you enjoyed the day. It is heartening to read the positive comments and feedback. Thanks folks, I have passed it on to our volunteers and helpers. Gavlor, that was an amazing average speed, fair play👍️👏. The 30Kmh target is there for the taking next year! 😆 That was me driving the lead car for the first wave group by the way. I could see in my mirrors that the lead group of riders was well disciplined and working well, so no need for me to get in the way, but no one was getting the benefit of my bumper either, 😉. I hate cycling in a big group when it gets bunched up behind the lead car with everyone twitchy and constantly on their brakes. A recipe for disaster!

Gavlor · 21-09-2021 09:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117917936#Comment_117917936

30kph??? Maybe if I co-pilot the lead car!! In fairness there was no messing in the main group and it thinned out fairly rapidly once we hit the first climb!! Thanks again for all the effort, the event was flawless

Macy0161 · 21-09-2021 09:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117917876#Comment_117917876

There is the option to rejoin the main road in annamoe too now - it's tarmac the whole way from the top road to the junction by Glendalough House/ the Fish Farm. There's ramps which naturally put the brakes on, but it's not as steep to the junction (which is also grand and wide). Anyway, it was just a suggestion, as Roundwood is invariably hit at Mass time!

kenmc · 28-09-2021 10:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117849440#Comment_117849440

I don't tend to post here any more since they changed the UI and made absolute sh1te of it. Found this thread searching Google for something else, more later....

Turns out I was close enough to Weepsie for the first chunk of the course, didn't get close enough to say hi though. After passing keep_her_lit I was grand all the way to Laragh. Until I stepped off the bike and a massive twinge in my lower left back. Had felt nothing off while cycling so was very surprised to be in pain, had done more distance and climbing in recent training previously (hadn't done more than 30ish km at a time for the previous 9 years since the anklebiters came along, last big ride was the Sean Kelly in 2012 but was up to mid 80s or so in weeks previously). Bought some paracetamol in the petrol station after the food stop and set off up glen macnass. Struggled for a few km but either the pills kicked in or I rode the stiffness out, but crested Sally and set off for home. Descended like a stone as usual, and in great form until the first bend on the ballysmutton climb when both quads cramped just above the knees. Barely managed to step off the bike in time before they locked up and I was left immobile for a couple mins while I waited for them to release. Got walking slowly up then back on the bike and trundled to the final waterstop where my companion for the day, also from this neck of the woods, oflahero, was waiting for me (kinda had to I suppose, I had the car key :) ). We got around the lakes mostly together (the smell of carvery from the pub in ballyknockan almost had me off the bike for a feed!) And back to russborough for a well earned burger. A tough but enjoyable day in the saddle, weather was excellent and the course was great. Off home and into the bath, happy to have a good 100+ in the legs... Which brings me back to the reason I found the thread..... This was the "warmup" for 9th October, when I'm off to Fermanagh with 2 mates to do the lakelander big dog gravel ride, 100km and >1800m almost entirely on gravel.

Will be on my MTB for this, slightly scared about doing that sort of distance on not a road bike, but figure with a 30x50 gear combo I'll be able to winch up pretty much anything, albeit slowly. Though the recent change in weather has me beginning to think I'm nucking futs.....

The Reservoir Dog Sportive 2021

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